Role of Play-based Intervention in Managing Selective Mutism in a Young Child: A Case Study

Abstract

The available literature on play-based intervention for young children with selective mutism is limited. This case report describes the use of play therapy for a 6-year-old girl with selective mutism. The therapist used a child-centred play approach to establish rapport and engage in defocused communication and gradually introduced more directive play as part of stimulus fading. The improved score on the Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ) indicated an increased frequency of verbalisation in various social settings. This case study suggests that play-based intervention provided a safe and engaging environment for young children with selective mutism to facilitate habituation to verbalise in social situations. This case report provides insights into the benefits of incorporating play therapy for young children with selective mutism.